KA LEO KAIĀULU - LETTERS

Ka Leo Kaiāulu

OHA reserves the right to edit all letters for length, defamatory and libelous material, and other objectionable content, and reserves the right not to print any submission. All letters must be typed, signed and not exceed 200 words. Letters cannot be published unless they include a telephone contact for verification. Send letters to Ka Wai Ola, 711 Kapi'olani Blvd., Ste. 500, Honolulu, HI 96813, or email kwo@oha.org.

Correction

In your June 2008 issue you credit the wrong school for pioneering in the Hawaiian language. Kamehameha beat St. Louis by 15 years with this effort – while Hawai'i was still a Territory.

In 1948, Kamehameha School for Boys initiated the first Hawaiian language class in the Territory of Hawai'i. (You credit St. Louis School as having “the first Hawaiian language class in the state.”)

The Rev. Stephen Desha was our instructor. He also allowed us students to read the scripture in Hawaiian at chapel. Never before was Hawaiian allowed to be spoken on campus by students.

This was initiated by the new head of the schools, Col. Harold W. Kent, who extolled “the glorious Hawaiian culture.” He realized it deserved a more important role at Kamehameha and put alumnus and school chaplain Rev. Desha in charge of doing so. (This is explained on page 119 of my book.)

J. Arthur Rath
Author, Lost Generations: A Boy, a School, a Princess
University of Hawai'i Press, 2006

Winona Beamer

Your tribute in memoriam to Winona Beamer (May issue), as well as the touching comments of mo'opuna Kamana Beamer, were both warm and loving, for which she was richly deserving. She did indeed touch the lives of so many with her vast knowledge of Hawaiiana, which she shared freely and generously with others, including the children of Kamiloiki School.

For the latter, she composed an especially touching song, “Kamiloiki Kula,” after hearing our 800-plus children in one of our twice-weekly assemblies singing the warm nahenahe songs of Hawai'i, which she so loved. The song she wrote referred to the beautiful setting in which the school is situated, and describes it as a model school “of kindness and love … standing together, working together … the family, singing happily.” What a special gift for the children and Kamiloiki School to be so blessed with a song by Aunty Nona Beamer!

Art Wong
Retired principal
Honolulu

Ipso facto at the palace

This writing is sent in regards to the last month's article on the purported Hawaiian Kingdom government misled by an idiot. Take this as a warning to all the new people who don't know any better, when you see these individuals at the palace, run like hell.

Those individuals at the palace claim to be a “government” when in fact they are not following Hawaiian Kingdom laws. Registered with the U.C.C. process with a nonprofit organization is meant to confuse and keep people ignorant of the truth and build on lies to get federal funds, grants, private funds and a tax write-off as an American corporation is not pono. Objectively, their so-called leader is really just an individual with no real status voted in by a handful of people ... that's it! What kind of leader is that? This person does not want to talk about Hawaiian law because she never intended to operate as such ... “just look like it” objectively playing a role in the independence movement as a federal government's puppet. That's a fact. I'm not trying to make fun. This is serious.

Those at the palace are ipso facto … factually here, but not legally here. This is all you have to know about what is at the palace. Don't let these people into your heart, home, 'ohana and community.

Kawehiokalaninui-I-iamamao Kanui
National Hawaiian Kingdom Office on Health, Education and Economic Development Firm
Waimānalo, O'ahu

Superferry sea change

I used to be “against” the Superferry. Now I'm beginning to support it. More precisely, my reservations were not so much about the Superferry itself as the high-handed manner in which the owners started doing business in Hawai'i. When I first heard the words “pushy haole” nearly 40 years ago, I had one of those proverbial “light-bulb moments,” and certain changes started to come about. To judge from the much smoother sailing the Superferry has had with the public lately, perhaps a similar adjustment in attitude has occurred.

Bill Brundage
Kurtistown, Hawai'i Island

View from Inside

The use of crystal methamphetamine, marijuana and alcohol is rapidly destroying the lives of many of those destined to inherit a Hawaiian Kingdom. Our state and federal jails and prisons are choked with young Polynesian men and women, most coming from 'Ewa Beach, Wai'anae, Waipahu and Neighbor Island communities.

As socio-economic factors feed their anger, youthful feelings of invincibility compound their vulnerability to drug addiction and alcoholism as well as to the criminal behavior that accompanies both. Our state's tourism-based economy has no real jobs, time or money for them. Our state public schools are physically in a shambles, while private schools that have a charter to benefit young Hawaiians have an elitist mentality. Hawaiian sovereignty groups are too busy disagreeing with each other to focus on their true future and its leadership, “their children.”

In many cases the lights and nightlife of Waikīkī is the beacon that draws man y of these young men and women like iron shavings to its magnet, “the streets,” where gangs are formed and violence erupts. The stories are most always the same: stolen cars, burglary, guns, crystal meth and assault until for a few, a life is lost in a criminal act born of social and economic intolerance and not of lethal criminal intent.

Organizations such as Alu Like and OHA should be commended for their concern and persistent support of programs for endangered Hawaiian youths.

I am a non-Hawaiian inmate of O'ahu Community Correctional Center. I am a former Honolulu Police officer and a cocaine addict; I have seen it all from both sides of the fence. I spend most of my time in prison helping these kids to write letters to loved ones and drug-treatment program. I am grateful for this opportunity, but I need help. Please, instead of occupying the Capitol grounds, go out and walk the streets and beaches of 'Ewa and Waikīkī. Find these young men and women, take them under your flag and teach them the pride in themselves, their culture and their heritage that will prevent them from the further pollution of their minds and bodies that drugs, alcohol and a lost identity permits

Michael Spiker
Inmate, advocate
OCCC

Notice to Readers Ka Wai Ola o OHA will accept for consideration news releases and letters to the editor on topics of relevance and interest to OHA and Hawaiians, as well as special events and reunion notices. Ka Wai Ola o OHA reserves the right to edit all material for length and content, or not to publish as available space or other considerations may require. Ka Wai Ola o OHA does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Deadline for submissions is the 15th day of every month. Late submissions are considered only on a space-available basis.